Sustainable Energy Tracking System Utilizing Blockchain Technology and Merkle Tree Hashing Structure

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and associated methods relate to generating energy blocks on a blockchain corresponding to generation, transmission, and consumption of predetermined quanta of energy represented by corresponding records in an associated Merkle trie. In an illustrative example, individual energy data records may be hashed. Each hash may be stored in a leaf node of a Merkle trie. The individual energy data records may be aggregated to correspond to represent a predetermined quantum of energy. The individual energy data records may include energy generation records. The energy blocks may be associated with scheduling, delivery, and consumption data for the energy quantum. Various embodiments may advantageously provide secure, verifiable, and immutable tracking and processing of energy generation, transmission, and consumption of physical energy quanta across one or more distributed energy networks.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/934,113, titled “SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TRACKING SYSTEM UTILIZINGBLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND MERKLE TREE HASHING STRUCTURE,” filed by EricMiller, et al., on Nov. 12, 2019.

This application incorporates the entire contents of the foregoingapplication(s) herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments relate generally to energy tracking and processing.

BACKGROUND

Mankind has implemented energy generation, transmission, and consumptionin various forms throughout history. For example, ancient civilizationshave long made use of both wind and water energy to grind grain. Morerecently, mankind has discovered practical means of generating energy atone location for transmission to and consumption at remote locations.

Energy may be generated, transferred, and consumed in various formsincluding, for example, electrical and chemical (e.g., petroleum-basedfuels). Electrical energy may be generated, for example, byunsustainable means such as fossil fuel combustion, and by renewablemeans such as, for example, solar, wind, thermal, and hydroelectricgeneration.

Organizations and governments may, for example, implement renewableenergy initiatives to encourage or require generation and consumption ofrenewable energy. Such initiatives may include, for example, standardsfor generation and use of renewable energy, rewards for progress towardsfull use of renewable energy, and fines associated with a failure toachieve satisfactory progress towards fully sustainable energy use.Accordingly, various entities including governments, organizations, andenergy consumers may desire to record and track energy generation,transmission, and consumption data.

SUMMARY

Apparatus and associated methods relate to generating energy blocks on ablockchain corresponding to generation, transmission, and consumption ofpredetermined quanta of energy represented by corresponding records inan associated Merkle trie. In an illustrative example, individual energydata records may be hashed. Each hash may be stored in a leaf node of aMerkle trie. The individual energy data records may be aggregated tocorrespond to represent a predetermined quantum of energy. Theindividual energy data records may include energy generation records.The energy blocks may be associated with scheduling, delivery, andconsumption data for the energy quantum. Various embodiments mayadvantageously provide secure, verifiable, and immutable tracking andprocessing of energy generation, transmission, and consumption ofphysical energy quanta across one or more distributed energy networks.

Various embodiments may achieve one or more advantages. For example,some embodiments may advantageously provide a technological solution tothe problem in the industry of accurately and reliably tracking physicalmovement of energy from generation through transmission to consumptionacross one or more physical power distribution networks and associateddata communication, processing, and control networks. Variousembodiments may advantageously generate secure, immutable, verifiabledigital energy data assets such as, by way of example and notlimitation, blockchain tokens. Various embodiments may advantageouslyprovide negotiable instruments representing, by way of example and notlimitation, physical energy quanta, carbon intensity, environmentalimpact, energy efficiency, other appropriate energy-related attributes,or some combination thereof. Various embodiments may advantageouslyenable users to securely track and attribute sustainable energygeneration and usage, such as, for example, for the beneficial purposeof powering and supporting various green energy-focused technologicalsystems and processes (often referred to as “Green-Tech”). Variousembodiments may be advantageously implemented across large-scale energytracking and processing networks to solve existing technologicalproblems in tracking and processing energy generation, transmission, andconsumption records securely, verifiably, and immutably.

Various embodiments may advantageously generate one or more new computeroutputs such as energy blocks indicative of generation, transmission,and consumption of a quantum of energy. Various embodiments mayadvantageously provide specific rules for solving a specific,technological problem such as, for example, implementation detailsincluding specific rules for generating, storing, and aggregating hashvalues, and generating and associating hash values with an associatedenergy block(s). Various embodiments may provide one or more newcomputer capabilities that did not previously exist such as, forexample, a specifically recited algorithm for verifying energygeneration, transmission, and consumption across at least one trackingand processing infrastructure.

Various embodiments may, for example, provide technological solutionswhich are infeasible and/or impossible to perform in the human mind suchas, for example, generating hashes of energy data records, maintaining aMerkle trie of the hashes, aggregating multiple energy data records torepresent a predetermined quantum of energy, generating energy blocks ona blockchain, and associating various data with the blocks across atracking and processing infrastructure containing potentially disparatedata sources and large amounts of digital information.

The details of various embodiments are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features and advantages willbe apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary energy tracking and processinginfrastructure system in an illustrative use case.

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of an exemplary energy tracking andprocessing infrastructure system.

FIG. 3A depicts an exemplary energy layer providing data to an exemplaryenergy tracking and processing infrastructure system.

FIG. 3B depicts an exemplary processing and validation engine receivingdata from the exemplary energy layer of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C depicts an exemplary attribution engine of the exemplaryprocessing and validation engine of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 3D depicts an exemplary input/output engine of the exemplaryprocessing and validation engine of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary method to verify energy generation,transmission, and consumption across an energy verification and trackinginfrastructure.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary method to generate digital asset tokens fromenergy generation, transmission, and consumption data.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

To aid understanding, this document is organized as follows. First, tohelp introduce discussion of various embodiments, an exemplary energytracking and processing infrastructure system for verifying energygeneration, transformation, and consumption is introduced with referenceto FIG. 1. Second, that introduction leads into a description withreference to FIGS. 2-3D of some exemplary embodiments of an exemplaryenergy tracking and processing infrastructure system. Third, withreference to FIGS. 4-5, methods for verifying energy generation,transmission, and consumption in an energy tracking and processinginfrastructure system is described. Finally, the document discussesfurther embodiments, exemplary applications and aspects relating toverifiable energy generation, transmission, and consumption tracking.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary energy tracking and processinginfrastructure system in an illustrative use case. Physical facilitiesfor generation 10, transmission 14, and consumption 18 may beinterconnected via at least one power grid. Generation data 12 iscollected (e.g., by a smart meter) and transferred to an energy trackingand processing infrastructure (ETPI) 22. The ETPI 22 processes thegeneration data 12 to create an energy generation data record (EGDR),which is hashed 24. The hash 24 is stored in a leaf node on a Merkletrie 26. One or more leaf nodes of the Merkle trie 26 are aggregated torepresent a predetermined quantum of energy (e.g., 1 megawatt-hour[MWh]). An energy block on a blockchain 30 is generated and at least oneroot of the Merkle trie (a hash of hashes) corresponding to theaggregated leaf nodes is recoded in the energy block. In the depictedexample, transmission data 16 and consumption data 20 corresponding tothat quantum of energy are collected. In various embodiments, by way ofexample and not limitation, transmission data may be collected,consumption data may be collected, other appropriate data, or somecombination thereof. In various embodiments, no additional data may becollected. The collected data is processed into a predetermined datastructure 28, and added to the blockchain (e.g., by being stored on aMerkle trie and associated Merkle root(s) being recorded to the energyblock of the blockchain 30).

Data in the Merkle trie and blockchain is used to generate, process, andvalidate one or more digital energy asset tokens. The tokens may, forexample, be generated, processed, and validated according topredetermined sets of rules corresponding, by way of example and notlimitation, to digital energy data assets (32), digital renewable energycredits (34), and digital CO2e assets 36 or liabilities. Accordingly, invarious embodiments, one or more ETPI may advantageously providetracking, processing, and validation of physical energy generation,transmission (e.g., scheduling and delivery), and consumption related toparticular quanta of energy. By way of example and not limitation,various embodiments may advantageously provide a technological solutionfor immutable, secure, and traceable records and digital assetsgenerated therefrom for one or more attributes related to energygeneration, transmission, and consumption. Attributes may include, byway of example and not limitation, renewable energy sources, renewableenergy use, environmental impact, energy efficiency, or some combinationthereof. Accordingly, various embodiments may, for example,advantageously provide a technological solution to the problem in theindustry of accurately and reliably tracking physical movement of energyfrom generation through transmission to consumption across one or morephysical power distribution networks and associated data communication,processing, and control networks.

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of an exemplary energy tracking andprocessing infrastructure system. A sustainable ETPI system 22 is atechnological solution to maintain secure, traceable, and immutablerecords of renewable energy generation and energy consumption, at one ormore energy facilities using a Merkle trie and blockchain-basedarchitecture. More specifically, energy facilities 101 may include, asdepicted: (1) a net energy generation facility 101A (e.g.,wind/solar/wave farms, dams, geothermal power stations), (2) a netenergy consumption facility 101B (e.g., office buildings, factories,warehouses), (3) an energy transmission facility 101T (e.g., schedulingand delivery infrastructure, substations), (4) an energy storagefacility 101S (e.g., battery bank, gravity storage, inertial storage),or some combination thereof (e.g., an office building with a roof thatis covered with an array of solar panels and has a battery bank in thebasement, with associated transmission and scheduling equipment). Energyflow from, through, and to the various facilities 101 are measured viametering devices 105. The metering devices 105 generated correspondingdata streams 114.

Data streams 114 are received by processing and validation engine 65.Processing and validation engine 65 receives meter data streams 114 viatransport protocols 140 or internet of things (IoT)/meter connectors160. The received data is processed by ingest engine 175. Ingest engine175 provides data to a broker engine 189. Broker engine 189 exchangesdata with Merkle engine 188 and service engine 218 to perform variousprocessing, recording, and validation functions. The service engine 218interacts with extract-transform-load (ETL) engine 270 to retrieve datafrom datastores through monitor engine 240. Accordingly, variousembodiments may, for example, advantageously track, process, andvalidate physical energy generation, transmission, and consumption data.

Attribution data 316 is sent from broker engine 189 to attributionengine 70, which generates attribution credit 335. Attribution credit335 is stored in blockchain layer 340. Blockchain layer 340 includes oneor more blockchain structures having blockchain nodes 341. Smartcontracts 352 are generated such as, by way of example and notlimitation, renewable energy data 355, digital renewable energy credits360, digital CO2e assets and liabilities 365, digital CO2e allowances375, and digital energy efficiency credits 370. Accordingly, variousembodiments may, for example, advantageously generate secure, immutable,verifiable digital energy data assets such as, by way of example and notlimitation, blockchain tokens. Such tokens may, for example,advantageously provide negotiable instruments representing, by way ofexample and not limitation, physical energy quanta, carbon intensity,environmental impact, energy efficiency, other appropriateenergy-related attributes, or some combination thereof. For example,digital asset token may be used to advantageously securely track andattribute sustainable energy generation and usage, for the beneficialpurpose of powering and supporting various green energy-focusedtechnological systems and processes (often referred to as “Green-Tech”).

Processing and validation engine 65 communicates with input-output (I/O)engine 75 via input-output data stream (I/O data stream) 378. I/O engine75 includes database(s) 430, storage object(s) 420, dashboard engine405, and API engine 380. Accordingly, various embodiments may, by way ofexample and not limitation, advantageously facilitate users viewing,negotiating, and verifying production, transmission, and consumption ofenergy quanta and digital energy data assets generated therefrom.

FIG. 3A depicts an exemplary energy layer providing data to an exemplaryenergy tracking and processing infrastructure system. Energy layer 60includes multiple energy generating facilities 101A, energy consumptionfacilities 101B, energy storage facilities 101S, and energy transmissionfacilities 101T. Energy facilities generate energy, transmit (e.g.,schedule and deliver) energy, consume energy, or some combinationthereof, and may be collectively referred to as facilities 101.Exemplary generation facilities 101A depicted include, by way of exampleand not limitation, a hydroelectric generation facility, a windgeneration facility (e.g., one or more wind turbines), a solargeneration facility (e.g., one or more solar panels or heat engine (suchas Stirling engine) units). Each generation facility 101A is providedwith a corresponding energy generation meter 105A. Exemplary energyconsumption facilities 101B depicted include, by way of example and notlimitation, an office building, a factory or other industrial facility,a warehouse or other distribution or storage related facility. Eachconsumption facility 101B is provided with at least one correspondingenergy consumption meter 105B.

Energy storage facilities 101S are provided with corresponding energystorage meters 105S. Exemplary energy storage facilities include, by wayof example and not limitation, chemical energy storage facilities,thermal energy storage facilities, gravitational energy storagefacilities, and inertial energy storage facilities. In variousembodiments a storage meter 105S may, for example, operate as acombination generation and consumption meter. By way of example and notlimitation, energy quanta stored in a storage facility 101S may beprocessed as “consumption” data, and energy quanta retrieved from astorage facility 101S may be processed as “generation” data.

Energy transmission facilities 101T are provided with correspondingenergy transmission meters 105T. Exemplary energy transmissionfacilities include, by way of example and not limitation, electricalreceiving and distribution stations and sub-stations, transformers,converters, and other components of scheduling and delivery facilitiesand networks including computer-based negotiation and distributionnetworks. Transmission meters 105T may include, by way of example andnot limitation, physical meters as well as individual or networkeddigital scheduling and delivery record generation and processing devices(e.g., system operation and transmission organization control networks).Data stream 136 may include data transmitted from regional transmissionorganizations (RTOs) and independent system operators (ISOs).

In various embodiments, a single physical facility may operate as one ormore types of energy facility (e.g., an energy generation facility mayalso consume energy, an energy consumption facility may includegeneration and storage facilities, as well as other appropriateconfigurations). In various embodiments, a single meter may operate inmultiple metering modes to generate data related to a combination ofenergy generation, transmission, and consumption data.

Each energy metering device 105 may be operably configured as anetworked or Internet of Things (IoT) device, such that each meteringdevice 105 may operate as a “smart” meter that is capable oftransmitting energy generation and/or consumption data to a processingand validation engine 65 of an ETPI 22. The metering devices 105generate data streams 114. The data streams 114 may be in various forms.Data streams 114 may include, by way of example and not limitation,hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) push 115, HTTP/2 stream 120, messagequeueing telemetry transport (MQTT) protocol 125 (e.g., commonly usedfor IoT devices), transmission control protocol/internet protocol(TCP/IP) 130, MQTT 135, other appropriate forms, or some combinationthereof. Although exemplary data stream formats are depicted, otherforms are contemplated including, but not limited to, modbus, Apple Talktransaction protocol, fiber channel protocol, IL protocol, reliable dataprotocol, stream control transmission protocol, sequenced packetexchange, structured stream transport, micro transport protocol, otherappropriate data stream formats, or some combination thereof.Accordingly, in various embodiments data streams of generation,transmission, and consumption data for energy quanta may beadvantageously collected and transmitted for tracking, processing, andverification, and generation of digital assets related thereto.

FIG. 3B depicts an exemplary processing and validation engine receivingdata from the exemplary energy layer of FIG. 3A. The processing andvalidation engine 65 are operably coupled to and configured to receivedata from energy layer 60 via transport protocols 140 and IoT/MeterConnect services 160. By way of example and not limitation, HTTP pushdata streams 115 are processed via HTTP Protocols 145, HTTP/2 streams120 are processed by HTTP/2 Protocols 150, and MQTT streams 125 areprocessed by MQTT protocol 155. Similarly, TCP/IP data streams 130 areprocessed by IoT connect services 165, and MQTT data streams 135 areprocessed by meter connect services 170. In various embodiments, eachmetering device 105 may be pre-configured to transmit energy data to theTransport Protocols 140 and IOT/Meter Connect 160 at regular (orsemi-regular) intervals. Various metering devices may, for example,transmit data at differing time intervals (e.g., a first metering devicemay transmit every 5 minutes, a second metering device may transmit oncean hour, a third metering device may transmit once a day). Similarly,various metering devices may, by way of example and not limitation,transmit when a predetermined quanta of energy is reached (e.g., 1kilowatt-hour). The energy data transmitted to the Transport Protocols140 and IOT/Meter Connect 160 may include device static data (e.g.,device serial number, manufacturer, installer, installation date,permission to operate date, geo-location credentials (lat/long), devicestreaming data (power output), energy output, inverter output, etc.), orsome combination thereof. In at least one example, a given meteringdevice 105 may transmit meter power readings to the transport protocols140 and IOT/Meter Connect 160.

Incoming energy generation, transmission, and consumption data, onceprocessed by transport protocols 140 or IoT/Meter Connect 160, is thenprocessed by ingest engine 175. Ingestion service(s) 180 is operablycoupled to and configured to process data from transport protocols 140.IoT ingestions service(s) 185 is operably coupled to and configured toprocess data from IoT/Meter connect service(s) 160. At least someportion of ingestion engine 175 may be implemented as afunction-as-a-service, utilizing serverless functions in cloud computingsystems that executes extract-transform-load (ETL) operations totransform data from various data sources (e.g., various metering devices105) into one or more predetermined data structures for use byprocessing and validation engine 65. The ingest engine 175 may alsoperform various data normalization operations to normalize the receivedenergy data, by way of example and not limitation, into a standardizedand easy-to-use format.

Ingest engine 175 may transmit the normalized energy data to, and loadthe data into, a transaction (TX) store broker 190 of broker engine 189.In various implementations the transaction store broker 190 may beimplemented, for example, as a cloud queue service that runs on multipleservers, including virtual machines. In various examples, some secretand sensitive data or other private info is stored in at least onesecrets/key vault 195.

In various embodiments, once an individual energy data record reaches atop of a queue in transaction store broker 190, the broker 190 transmitsthe currently queued-up energy data record to transaction store service200 in Merkle engine 188. The transaction store service 200 may beimplemented, by way of example and not limitation, as a cloud containerinstance in some embodiments. The transaction store service 200 isconfigured to receive an energy data record (representing a specificunit of energy) transmitted from the broker 190, identify the source ofthe energy data record (e.g., whether it originated from a specificenergy generation facility 101A, a specific consumption facility 101B),and perform validation operations on the energy data record. Thetransaction store service 200 is also configured to hash the record(e.g., using one or more secure hash algorithm (SHA), message digest(MD, such as MD5), BLAKE (such as BLAKE3), and other appropriate hashingand hash functions) to create a hash “signature” of the record. Invarious embodiments, the transaction store service 200 may function as adeduplication engine to deduplicate messages (e.g., messages receivedfrom the same source for an identical time and energy value).

The hash of the specific energy record is stored in a Merkle treestructure, which may be implemented as a DBaaS, in some examples.Specifically, in various embodiments, the Merkle tree may specificallybe implemented as a Merkle trie structure. The record itself may bestored in a suitable datastore such as, by way of example and notlimitation, a Merkle tree, a database, other appropriate datastorestructure, or some combination thereof. The hash of the specific energyrecord, along with the record itself, may also be stored in a separatedatabase, as well. A Merkle (or hash) trie is an immutable datastructure, arranged as a tree in which leaf nodes are labelled with thehash of a data block, and non-leaf nodes are labelled with acryptographic hash of the labels of its associated child nodes.

As applied herein, individual source energy data records/entries areplaced into the tree in an order. The order in which entries areinserted into the Merkle trie may cause different tree structures, evenfor the same underlying collection of entries (which may function as an“audit trail” for security and verification). The transaction storeservice 200 (which may be a tree microservice) may record the order inwhich the entries are placed into the tree, as well as the associatedenergy record hash that changed the state of the tree resulting in a newMerkle root. In various embodiments, one or more Merkle tries arespecifically configured and operably coupled to various engine(s) andservice(s) to store hashes of energy data records (e.g., energygeneration data record(s), also referred to as EGDRs). Such Merkle triesmay, for example, not store information relating to state, includingblockchain record states, but instead store at least a hash of theinformation itself.

The integrity, state and health of the foundational tree are maintainedby Merkle tree engine 205 (which may be configured to maintain varioustypes of Merkle trees including, by way of example and not limitation,Merkle tries). In addition, the Merkle tree anchoring service 210 (whichmay be configured to administer various types of Merkle trees including,by way of example and not limitation, Merkle tries) stores the latestMerkle tree (or trie) root on at least one blockchain. In variousembodiments, this anchoring service 210 may, by way of example and notlimitation, run at the end of every hour or at another other appropriatepredetermined or dynamic time interval(s). A smart contract may, forexample, be created to allow simple interaction in which a user canquery by time to get at least one Merkle root which can then be used tovalidate Merkle proofs and audit energy. The transaction store service200 is further configured to queue up a request to the block servicebroker 215. Block service broker 215 may, for example, be implemented asa cloud queue storage, in various examples. The block service broker 215feeds into the block service 220 of service engine 218.

The block service 220 executes aggregation operations to aggregateindividual energy data records to generate a block according to apredetermined block type or block size. Accordingly, for example, thesystem may request data from device 105A for 12 PM on Oct. 31, 2019, andwith the hashing functionality, create an hour block of energy, that isa hash of hashes (Merkle trie). Similarly, the system may receive aplurality of EGDRs from a generation metering device 105A, hash theindividual records (each representing a quantity of energy generatedover a duration in time) and store them on individual leaf nodes in theMerkle trie, and then aggregate the individual records and generate acorresponding energy block representing a predetermined quantum ofenergy (e.g., 1 MWh). Accordingly, easily transferrable and verifiableenergy blocks may be generated corresponding to discrete energy quantaand validated by individual hashed energy data stored at least in aMerkle trie.

With this discrete energy block of data consolidated and all necessaryenergy records compiled, the block service 220 then interfaces withmetadata service broker 225 and metadata service(s) 230, as well as withoracle broker 305. The metadata service(s) 230 enriches the data in theblock service 220 with various metadata (e.g., time andlocation-specific grid emission factor, weather data and various otherenvironmental data). In addition, metadata service 230 interfaces withenergy market link services 235. The metadata service 230 is dynamic. Asthe use of the technology becomes more prolific, the metadata service230 may, for example, be expanded to incorporate metadata elements notyet requested.

Energy market link services 235 uses data retrieved by monitor lambdaengine 240 and regional transmission organization and independent systemoperator (RTO/ISO) ETL engine 270. Monitor lambda engine 240 receivesdata streams 136 from transmission facilities 101T. Monitor lambdaengine 240 includes generation schedule monitor 245, which may monitoran energy generator's bid and commitment schedule and extract any newdata. This may be done, for example, for the day-ahead and hour-aheadmarkets. Load monitor 250 may monitor load serving and load bus detailsand extract new data therefrom. Transaction monitor 255 may monitor agenerator's internal bilateral transactions (IBT's) and transactioncontracts and extracts any new data. Settlements monitor 260 may monitorload serving entities for settled meter data used for reconciliations.REC state monitor 265 may monitor RECs for any changes and alerts whenchanges are found.

RTO/ISO ETL engine 270 may extract data retrieved by monitor lambdaengine 240 and transform it into at least one predetermined data form.Generator ETL 275 may extract generator information from the ISO/RTOmarketplace. Load ETL 280 may extract the load serving and load busdetails from the ISO/RTO marketplace. Transaction ETL 285 may extractthe generation schedule, transaction schedules, and IBT's from theISO/RTO marketplace. Settlements ETL 290 may, for example, extractsettlement data from the ISO/RTO marketplace(s). REC ETL 300 extractsREC status information from one or more ISO REC systems. The energymarket link service 235 and associated ETL tasks and lambda functionsmay form an important aspect of the system by combining the energymetering device data 105 with RTO/ISO physical scheduling data whichproves the physical path the data electron “traveled” from the time andlocation of its generation to its delivery and consumption.

Once the block service 220 is finished aggregating a given block and themetadata service 230 is complete enriching a given block, the block isthen transmitted to an oracle engine (which includes oracle broker 305and oracle service 310). The oracle service 310 may be configured, forexample, to calculate the CO2e asset (e.g. the block contains renewableenergy generation data) or liability (e.g. the block contains energyconsumption data) which is the product of renewable energy produced anda relevant grid emission factor, or the product of energy consumed and arelevant grid emission factor. The oracle service 310 may, for example,be dynamic.

Exemplary ETPI 22 embodies leading edge technology as discussed herein,as well as an array of reporting services. For example, environmental,social, and governance (ESG) broker 315 facilitates three standardservices: renewable energy credit (REC) service 320, audit andcompliance service 330, and reporting service 325. REC service 320 is ablock service that counts and assembles net energy generation facility101A individual data points up to 1 MWh. All hashes can be matched toattributions once generated by the oracle engine downstream. The RECservice 320 matches hashes to attributions and prevents double counting.These RECs are processed as a digital asset 316 onto a blockchain viabroker engine 189. This service may also orchestrate and automate adigital twin process in the RTO/ISO REC systems. Any automatic transferof RECs from generator to customer may also be handled by this service.Audit & compliance service 330, in coordination with corporate ESGprograms, models, may measure and provide the basis for auditing andreporting an organization's ESG impact and performance. Reportingservice 325 generates and curates meaningful and insightful reportsaround, by way of example and not limitation, ESG compliance goals andScope 2 emissions. Accordingly, in various embodiments, energygeneration, transmission, and consumption data may be advantageouslytransformed into secure, verifiable, and actionable data recordsassociated with predetermined physical energy quanta. Furthermore,immutable, verifiable, traceable, and negotiable digital energy dataassets may be generated therefrom.

FIG. 3C depicts an exemplary attribution engine of the exemplaryprocessing and validation engine of FIG. 3B. Once oracle service 310 hasprocessed a specific block of data it then generates an energyattribution credit 335. In the depicted example, the attribution credit335 is the origin of five distinct digital assets: digital renewableenergy data 355, digital RECs 360, digital CO2e assets or liabilities365, digital CO2e allowances 375, and digital energy efficiency credits370. Digital renewable energy data 355 may, for example, advantageouslyenable accelerated settlement of purchased energy via transfer ofdigital currency between parties. Digital RECs 360 are digital renewableenergy data assets aggregated into bundles representing discretepredetermined energy quanta (e.g., 1 MWh). Digital RECs may, forexample, advantageously be used directly by a user for internalpurposes, or be used for third-party exchange.

Digital CO2e assets or liabilities 365 may represent a predeterminedsite-specific measure of carbon benefit or burden. These digital CO2eassets/liabilities 365 may advantageously, by way of example and notlimitation, enable internal attestations, such as with respect to carbonneutrality or intensity, and may serve as the starting point for energyconsuming facilities for the creation of digital energy efficiencycredits 370. Digital energy efficiency credits 370 may represent acalculated difference between the measured carbon intensity of aconsumption site versus mandated thresholds (for example, carbonintensity in excess of mandated thresholds are liabilities, andintensity measures below mandated thresholds are assets). The digitalenergy efficiency credits 370 may, by way of example and not limitation,advantageously be used internally across a registrant's portfolio, andmay be available for third-party exchange.

Digital CO2e allowances 375 are carbon assets which may, by way ofexample and not limitation, be the result of various measures using:Measured Energy Consumption Pre-Action, Energy Reduction Action Taken,and Measured Energy Consumption Post-Action resulting in an observed anddeterminable measure of energy reduction that result directly from, forexample, the Energy Reduction Act. The digital CO2e allowances 375 maybe determined according to predetermined energy quanta such as, forexample, in 1 MWh increments. The measures, when multiplied by therelevant grid emission factor, result in a digital CO2e allowance 375which may, for example, be advantageously used for third-party exchange.Each digital energy asset token referred to herein may contain variousdata parameters including, by way of example and not limitation, theblock type, validation data, input data, energy used (e.g., in MWh), andcarbon footprint (e.g., in lbs.), as well as the raw data used to derivethese values.

In various embodiments, the rate of digital RECs 360 and digital energyefficiency credits 370 generated may often be dependent on the level ofenergy a given facility 101A/B is using, generating, or transmitting.For example, a small array of solar panels on top of an office buildingmay take several days to produce a single REC 360, while a large windfarm on hundreds of acres of land may generate multiple RECs 360 in anhour timespan.

In various examples, various queues, services, and instances (e.g., 190,200, 215, 220, 225, 230, 305 and 310) may run on a single cloud-hostedvirtual machine as elastic container service clusters. Various functionservices may be run as an array of virtual machines, which may besupplied in one or more on-demand cloud computing service.

A blockchain record may be generated in blockchain layer 340 for eachdigital energy data asset 352. In the depicted example, blockchain layer341 includes nodes 345 and validator nodes 350. Nodes 345 are originallayers of blockchain processing. Validator nodes 350 may, for example,be third-party hosted-nodes configured to run in parallel with nodes 345as an independent check of the nodes 345. The digital energy data assets352 may, by way of example and not limitation, be stored in blockchainwallets, such as wallets for digital renewable energy data 355, digitalRECs 360, digital CO2e assets or liabilities 365, digital CO2eallowances 375, and digital energy efficiency credits 370. Each block inblockchain layer 340 may be a blockchain-verifiable record that may, forexample, advantageously be used to securely track energy generation,transmission, and usage (e.g., of renewable/sustainable energy) for awide variety of energy generation, transmission, and consumption sitesand facilities.

In various embodiments, different forms of blockchain technology may beused. For example, the registrant at a facility 101A may desire to useBitcoin-type blockchain architecture, while the registrant at a facility101B may prefer to use an Ethereum-based blockchain architecture. Inthis sense, various systems and methods disclosed herein may be referredto as “blockchain-agnostic.” Various embodiments may, for example, use aprivately-implemented blockchain network for tracking, tracing, andattributing sustainable energy generation, transmission, and consumptionthat may be configured, by way of example and not limitation, with a(low-latency) proof of authority or proof of work (consensus)algorithm/node structure. Various data in the network may originate froma proprietary source.

FIG. 3D depicts an exemplary input/output engine of the exemplaryprocessing and validation engine of FIG. 3B. Various embodiments mayemploy various elements of an input/output engine. In the depicted ETPI22, input/output (I/O) engine 75 communicates with processing andvalidation engine 65 via I/O data stream 378. In the depicted EPTI 22,IO engine 75 includes an application programming interface (API) engine380, as well as a dashboard engine 405.

API engine 380 provides multiple functions including, but not limitedto, user authorization (Auth API 385), core data retrieval services(Core API 390), and administrative functions (Admin API 395). Chain API(140) is an API endpoint to get blockchain transactions generated fromdifferent digital assets and other smart contracts. In variousembodiments, making these transactions available through request callsmay advantageously enable a callback to return information about atransaction of a specific smart contract or digital asset which holdsmetadata contents of meters queried from one or more associateddatabase.

Dashboard engine 405 includes a set of graphical user interfaces (GUIs),including Dashboard 410 and Admin Dashboard 415 which may, for example,enable registrants to view and configure, respectively, registeredfacilities 101. In various embodiments, using hashes of hashes forsource energy tracking and attribution may, for example, advantageouslyensure that digital renewable energy data 355, digital RECs 360, digitalCO2e assets or liabilities 365, digital CO2e allowances 375, and digitalenergy efficiency credits 370 are secure, genuine, and untampered with.For example, if an audit of a blockchain transaction indicates thatcertain hash values are not equivalent, then such a mismatch may be astrong indication that the transaction has been tampered with, andshould therefore be marked as a suspect or invalid transaction.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary method to verify energy generation,transmission, and consumption across an energy verification and trackinginfrastructure. In the depicted method, an EGDR may be generated 405using data, for example, from an energy generation facility. The EGDRrepresents a physical quantity of energy generated over a defined timeperiod. ETL operations are performed 410 on EGDR to transform the EGDRinto a predetermined data structure such as, for example, by processingand validation engine 65 of FIG. 3B. The resulting data structure isprocessed through a predetermined hashing function to generate 415 ahash value representing the EGDR. This hash value is stored 420 in aMerkle trie leaf node. In various embodiments, the leaf node may bepre-existing, or may be generated for the new hash value according to apredetermined tree structure. In various embodiments, each leaf node maycontain a single hash value representing a single EGDR.

An aggregate of EGDRs (e.g., by aggregating leaf nodes, which may beperformed by taking two time-separated Merkle trie roots representingmultiple added EGDRs) is generated 425. If the aggregate does notcorrespond 430 to a predefined energy quantum (e.g., 1 MWh), then morerecords are added to the aggregate until the predetermined energyquantum is achieved 430. The aggregated records (e.g., represented by atleast one Merkle trie root) is used to generate 435 an energy block, anda corresponding root hash value is stored therein representing the hashvalues of the aggregated EGDRs.

The energy block generated in step 435 is subsequently enriched byassociating 440 scheduling, delivery, and consumption data. By way ofexample and not limitation, the associated consumption data, forexample, may represent energy consumption data record(s) (ECDR(s)).ECDRs may, similar to EGDRs as described in relation to FIG. 4, betransformed according to a predetermined data structure, hashed, storedin a Merkle trie (which may, by way of example and not limitation, bethe same Merkle trie as the EGDRs are stored on or a separate Merkletrie), and used to generated digital energy asset tokens. The resultantconsumption-related tokens may be associated, for example, withgeneration data (e.g., EGDRs or energy generation block(s) generatedtherefrom). Consumption-related tokens may, for example, be associatedwith correlated energy generation block(s) by an identifying hash orother identifier with the energy block. Similarly, transmission (e.g.,scheduling and delivery data) data may be similarly hashed and stored,or may be associated (e.g., as metadata) with corresponding energyblocks.

If an energy quantum is delivered, the exemplary process is consideredcomplete, because the energy quantum has been tracked from generationthrough transmission to consumption. Otherwise, transmission andconsumption data continues to be monitored and associated 440 with theenergy block representing the associated physical energy quanta.Accordingly, various embodiments may advantageously provide secure andverifiable tracking and processing of energy quanta generation,transmission, and consumption using energy blocks on one or moreblockchains validated by traceable Merkle trie records.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary method to generate digital asset tokens fromenergy generation, transmission, and consumption data. Predeterminedenergy block validation rules are executed 505 on a pre-existing energyblock. If the energy block is not valid 510, the process ends. If theblock is valid 510, the next step determines 512 whether the energyblock is an energy generation block or energy consumption block. If theenergy block is generation data (such as, for example, an energygeneration block generated according to the exemplary method of FIG. 4),predetermined renewable energy validation rules 515 are executed, suchas discussed in relation to FIGS. 3A-3D. If the rules validate that theenergy block represents valid renewable energy generated 520, a digitalrenewable energy credit token is generated 525. Otherwise, the processends.

Predetermined transmission and consumption validation rules 530 areexecuted on the energy block representing validated digital renewableenergy consumed by a facility. If the consumption and transmission datais validated 535 (e.g., that the renewable energy block is confirmed astransmitted to and consumed by a given facility), the digital renewableenergy credit token is associated (or “enriched”) 540 with theassociated transmission and consumption data. Otherwise, the processends.

If, at step 512, the data is determined to be consumption data,predetermined CO2e intensity determination rules 545 are executed on oneor more consumed energy blocks containing verifiable data correspondingto a particular consumption facility. If the CO2e intensity standardsare met 550, one or more digital energy efficiency credit tokens aregenerated 555. Otherwise, the process ends.

Predetermined carbon dioxide emission (CO2e) allowance rules (e.g.,implementing one or more governmental mandates) are executed 560 on oneor more consumed energy blocks and on further verifiable and traceableconsumption facility data. If applicable CO2e reduction standards aremet 565, a digital CO2e allowance token is generated 570 and theexemplary process ends. If the data is invalid (e.g., unverifiable), theexemplary process ends without generation of a digital CO2e allowancetoken. Accordingly, various embodiments may, by way of example and notlimitation, generate secure, verifiable, traceable, and immutabledigital asset tokens. The tokens may, for example, be advantageouslyused in implementing renewable energy initiatives such as, for example,through negotiable digital energy data assets. The digital energy dataassets may advantageously be used for rewards, fines, and trading toadvantageously, verifiably, and efficiently implement energy efficiencyand sustainability.

Although various embodiments have been described with reference to theFigures, other embodiments are possible. For example, although variousembodiments have been described with respect to energy generation,energy generation data records, and creating associated energy blockstherefrom, other embodiments are contemplated. By way of example and notlimitation, energy data records may include energy generation, energytransmission (e.g., scheduling and delivery), energy consumption, orsome combination thereof. In various embodiments, energy consumptionrecords may, for example, be transformed into a predetermined datastructure(s), hashed and recorded in a Merkle trie(s), aggregated intopredetermined energy quanta, and energy blocks (e.g., consumption blocksor generation blocks) generated therefrom. In some embodiments, forexample, both energy consumption blocks and energy generation blocks maybe generated. Some energy generation blocks may be associated with(‘enriched’ with) energy consumption data by associating, for example,an identifier of respective energy consumption blocks corresponding tothe energy quanta represented by the energy generation blocks, and viceversa for energy consumption blocks. Some energy generation/consumptionblocks may not be associated with corresponding data.

For example, some energy generators, some energy consumers, or somecombination thereof, may not currently produce sufficient data. Somecustomers may only require or permit energy consumption or energygeneration data to be processed and generated. Accordingly, variousembodiments may, for example, advantageously aggregate data records andgenerate energy blocks corresponding to only one of: energy generation,transmission, or consumption. Various embodiments may, for example,advantageously aggregate data records and generate energy blockscorresponding to some combination thereof. Various embodiments may notgenerate energy blocks from transmission data, but may correlatetransmission data to energy generation blocks, energy consumptionblocks, or some combination thereof.

In various embodiments, by way of example and not limitation,attribution records and digital energy attribution tokens may beassociated with a point of generation or a point of consumption. Variousembodiments may, for example, record transmission losses (e.g.,conversion losses, line losses, and the like) as energy consumption.Various embodiments may, for example, implement ‘energy fragment’records which may simultaneously reference two energy records. Suchenergy fragments may, for example, advantageously enable more accurate,fine-grained accounting for energy generation, consumption, andtransmission (e.g., transmission losses).

For example, if two EGDRs are aggregated representing individual 5minute time increments for an electricity generator producing 0.6 MW perhour, the actual energy represented may be 1.2 MWh. Rather than roundingto 1 MWh, a first energy block may be generated representing 1 MWh andassociated with an aggregate of the first EGDR (0.6 MWh) and a‘fragment’ of the second EGDR (representing 0.4 MWh of the 0.6 MWh ofthe second EGDR). The next chronological energy block may be generatedrepresenting 1 MWh and associated with an aggregate beginning with asecond ‘fragment’ of the second EGDR (representing the remaining 0.2 MWhof the 0.6 MWh of the second EGDR).

In various embodiments, a Merkle root may provide proof of a Merkle trieover time. As leaf nodes are written or created, one or more rootschange in time. Accordingly, using corresponding roots, the trie itselfmay be loaded, for example, at a previous state and at a current state.In various such embodiments, however, the trie, although loaded at twodifferent ‘states,’ is not itself storing ‘states’ of another record,but is actually storing energy records.

For example, every time a new record (e.g., a new leaf node) is writtento a Merkle trie, the root of the Merkle trie (a hash generated from allchildren nodes) is updated and altered. Accordingly, the fact that theMerkle root is changed proves that energy just added did not existbefore in time. An energy block generated therefrom representcorresponding records at a point in time. By way of example and notlimitation, if 12 events are aggregated and associated with a block, thecorresponding Merkle root includes at least all 12 records. Accordingly,fine grain traceability and verification may be advantageously provided.Every single data point at the lowest level (individual records such as,for example, generation, transmission, and consumption from variousenergy meters) is represented, aggregated, and traceable. Accordingly,not only the resulting block generated is verifiable, but the underlyingdata records are traceable and verifiable.

By way of example and not limitation, a specific Merkle trie root may beanchored to a corresponding energy block on a block chain such as, forexample, by recording the hash (the Merkle root) on the block in theblockchain. An energy block may subsequently be validated, for example,by using the root hash to load the Merkle trie at two different statesto prove the change (e.g., addition or consumption of energy) claimed bythe energy block. For example, when an energy data record is added to aMerkle trie, it indexes the identifying key of the record. In variousembodiments, the key is the hash of the data. Accordingly, the energydata is stored in an efficiently scalable, rapidly processed, verifiabledata structure.

In various embodiments, the combination of Merkle trie and blockchainmay provide significant advantages in scalability and processing. Forexample, implementations attempting to store large amounts of data on ablockchain may be secure and traceable, but may not be scalable (e.g.,to large amounts of data) or feasible (e.g., real-time processingrequired, for example, by regional, national, and international energydistribution networks). Implementations attempting to operate withoutblockchains may, for example, sacrifice security and immutability.Implementations attempting to limit the amount of data stored to improveefficiency and scalability may, for example, truncate or eliminateunderlying data records and so sacrifice traceability of each energyquanta to the underlying data records from generation throughtransmission to consumption. Accordingly, various embodiments may, forexample, advantageously provide critical technological solutionsassociated with immutably and verifiably recording and processing energydata over large-scale networks.

For example, energy quanta may be represented in a secure, immutableblockchain. The blockchain may be scalable and efficient because thedata contains hashes instead of the actual data records. However, theactual data records may be verifiable and traceable via the Merkle trie(hash of hashes) structure which may securely and traceably enableverification of each data record through hashes of the data itself.Because the Merkle trie stores hashes of the data, the Merkle trieitself may be scalable and efficient. Accordingly, a verifiable andimmutable record may be advantageously created which is capable ofvalidating and tracking the underlying energy data records, withoutrequiring that the full data records are continuously stored andprocessed on the blockchain. In various embodiments, the advantages may,for example, be amplified as the scale of the network is increased.Accordingly, the system may be advantageously implemented acrosslarge-scale energy tracking and processing networks to solve existingtechnological problems in tracking and processing energy generation,transmission, and consumption records securely, verifiably, andimmutably.

Although various embodiments have been described with respect to energygeneration, energy generation data records, and creating associatedenergy blocks therefrom, other embodiments are possible. By way ofexample and not limitation, various embodiments are not limited to“energy” data. Various such embodiments may, for example, generate asecure and verifiable data record representing at least one measurablephysical phenomena over a defined period of time. The data records mayinclude data emitted by one or more meters relating to the same physicalphenomena. Examples of such phenomena include energy-related resources,environmentally or climate related physical phenomena, other physicalphenomena, or some combination thereof. By way of example and notlimitation, physical phenomena may include: quanta of natural gasextracted, consumed, refined, or transmitted; quanta of oil extracted,refined, consumed, or transmitted; quanta air quality per period oftime; quanta of people on one or more sites over a period of time (e.g.,as measured by one or more ‘occupancy meters’); other appropriatephysical phenomena; or some combination thereof.

In various such embodiments, data records may be received from one ormore meters measuring the physical phenomena at one or more associatedsituses. The data may be extracted and transformed into at least onepredetermined data structure. At least some of the transformed data maybe hashed and recorded in at least one trie. The hashed data records maybe aggregated into a predetermined physical phenomena quantum which may,for example, be predetermined according to one or more data types orunits of measure being produced by the one or more meters producing thedata records. Various digital physical phenomena data assets, andderivatives thereof, may be generated and recorded (e.g., on one or moreblockchains) with one or more associated Merkle trie roots. Accordingly,various embodiments may, for example, provide for secure, immutable, andverifiable recordation and generation of associated digital data assetsfor a variety of physical phenomena.

In various embodiments, energy quanta may, for example, be described inunits of energy quantum per unit time (e.g., MWh), or in energy quanta(e.g., barrels of oil). Although various embodiments have been describedin relation to energy generation, other implementations are possible.Various embodiments may implement energy quanta tracking and validationin the context of, by way of example and not limitation, electricity(e.g., renewable, traditional), natural gas, oil, other petroleumproducts, other energy commodity, or some combination thereof.Appropriate units may, by way of example and not limitation, includeBritish thermal units (BTUs), gallons, barrels (bbls) of oil, otherappropriate energy-related unit, or some combination thereof.

In various embodiments, energy quanta may be aggregated (e.g., such asis described elsewhere herein), by way of example and not limitation, asMMBTUs (million BTUs), 10,000 MMBTUs (e.g., the size of a Nymex naturalgas contract), 50,000 bbls (e.g., the size of a Nymex oil contract), orother appropriate predetermined aggregation. In various embodimentspredetermined aggregation units may, for example, be determined forconvenience. In various embodiments, predetermined aggregation unitsmay, for example, be determined according to a pre-existing aggregateunit (e.g., a common contractual unit such as may, by way of example andnot limitation, be used on a commodity exchange).

Various embodiments may, by way of example and not limitation, beconfigured to process, track, and verify physical phenomena such as airquality over time. Units may, for example, be a predetermined metric ofair quality. Aggregation may, by way of example and not limitation, beaggregated into hourly blocks, daily blocks, another predetermined timeblock, predetermined non-time block, or some combination thereof. Suchembodiments may, for example, advantageously provide immutable andverifiable digital air quality data assets. The data assets may be used,by way of example and not limitation, to enrich other energy blocks(e.g., energy generation or consumption), in trading, other suitableuses, or some combination thereof.

Some aspects of embodiments may be implemented as a computer system. Forexample, various implementations may include digital and/or analogcircuitry, computer hardware, firmware, software, or combinationsthereof. Apparatus elements can be implemented in a computer programproduct tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in amachine-readable storage device, for execution by a programmableprocessor; and methods can be performed by a programmable processorexecuting a program of instructions to perform functions of variousembodiments by operating on input data and generating an output. Someembodiments may be implemented advantageously in one or more computerprograms that are executable on a programmable system including at leastone programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructionsfrom, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system,at least one input device, and/or at least one output device. A computerprogram is a set of instructions that can be used, directly orindirectly, in a computer to perform a certain activity or bring about acertain result. A computer program can be written in any form ofprogramming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, andit can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or asa module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in acomputing environment.

Suitable processors for the execution of a program of instructionsinclude, by way of example and not limitation, both general and specialpurpose microprocessors, which may include a single processor or one ofmultiple processors of any kind of computer. Generally, a processor willreceive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random-accessmemory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor forexecuting instructions and one or more memories for storing instructionsand data. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computerprogram instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory,including, by way of example, semiconductor memory devices, such asEPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such asinternal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and,CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory can besupplemented by, or incorporated in, ASICs (application-specificintegrated circuits). In some embodiments, the processor and the memorycan be supplemented by, or incorporated in hardware programmabledevices, such as FPGAs, for example.

In some implementations, each system may be programmed with the same orsimilar information and/or initialized with substantially identicalinformation stored in volatile and/or non-volatile memory. For example,one data interface may be configured to perform auto configuration, autodownload, and/or auto update functions when coupled to an appropriatehost device, such as a desktop computer or a server.

In some implementations, one or more user-interface features may becustom configured to perform specific functions. An exemplary embodimentmay be implemented in a computer system that includes a graphical userinterface and/or an Internet browser. To provide for interaction with auser, some implementations may be implemented on a computer having adisplay device, such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor fordisplaying information to the user, a keyboard, and a pointing device,such as a mouse or a trackball by which the user can provide input tothe computer.

In various implementations, the system may communicate using suitablecommunication methods, equipment, and techniques. For example, thesystem may communicate with compatible devices (e.g., devices capable oftransferring data to and/or from the system) using point-to-pointcommunication in which a message is transported directly from a sourceto a receiver over a dedicated physical link (e.g., fiber optic link,infrared link, ultrasonic link, point-to-point wiring, daisy-chain). Thecomponents of the system may exchange information by any form or mediumof analog or digital data communication, including packet-based messageson a communication network. Examples of communication networks include,e.g., a LAN (local area network), a WAN (wide area network), MAN(metropolitan area network), wireless and/or optical networks, and thecomputers and networks forming the Internet. Other implementations maytransport messages by broadcasting to all or substantially all devicesthat are coupled together by a communication network, for example, byusing omni-directional radio frequency (RF) signals. Still otherimplementations may transport messages characterized by highdirectivity, such as RF signals transmitted using directional (i.e.,narrow beam) antennas or infrared signals that may optionally be usedwith focusing optics. Still other implementations are possible usingappropriate interfaces and protocols such as, by way of example and notintended to be limiting, USB 2.0, FireWire, ATA/IDE, RS-232, RS-422,RS-485, 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi, WiFi-Direct, Li-Fi, BlueTooth, Ethernet,IrDA, FDDI (fiber distributed data interface), token-ring networks, ormultiplexing techniques based on frequency, time, or code division. Someimplementations may optionally incorporate features such as errorchecking and correction (ECC) for data integrity, or security measures,such as encryption (e.g., WEP) and password protection.

In various embodiments, a computer system may include non-transitorymemory. The memory may be connected to the one or more processors, whichmay be configured for storing data and computer readable instructions,including processor executable program instructions. The data andcomputer readable instructions may be accessible to the one or moreprocessors. The processor executable program instructions, when executedby the one or more processors, may cause the one or more processors toperform various operations. In various embodiments, a processor mayinclude multiple co-processors cooperating to execute a program ofinstructions in a coherent way to perform one or more functions. Theco-processors may, by way of example and not limitation, be implementedin a single hardware unit, may be implemented in a single location, maybe implemented across multiple hardware units, may be implemented acrossa plurality of locations remote from each other, or some combinationthereof.

In various embodiments, the computer system may include Internet ofThings (IoT) devices. IoT devices may include objects embedded withelectronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivitywhich enable these objects to collect and exchange data. IoT devices maybe in-use with wired or wireless devices by sending data through aninterface to another device. IoT devices may collect useful data andthen autonomously flow the data between other devices.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modification may be made. For example,advantageous results may be achieved if the steps of the disclosedtechniques were performed in a different sequence, or if components ofthe disclosed systems were combined in a different manner, or if thecomponents were supplemented with other components. Accordingly, otherimplementations are contemplated within the scope of the followingclaims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A computer program product comprising: a program ofinstructions tangibly embodied on at least one computer readable mediumwherein, when the instructions are executed on at least one processor, aprocessor causes operations to be performed to verify physical phenomenatransaction records, the operations comprising: generating a hash valuefor each of a plurality of physical phenomena data records (PPDRs), eachrepresenting a defined quantity of physical phenomena occurring in adefined time period; storing each hash value in a Merkle trie;generating an aggregate of at least one of the PPDRs for a predeterminedquantum of physical phenomena represented by the aggregated PPDRs;generating a physical phenomena block on at least one blockchain andstoring therein at least one root hash value, the root hash valuerepresenting a root in the Merkle trie corresponding to the aggregatedPPDRs; and, associating the physical phenomena block with physicalphenomena validation data (PPVD) corresponding to the quantum ofphysical phenomena.
 22. The computer program product of claim 21, theoperations further comprising generating at least one digital assettoken corresponding to the physical phenomena block and based on afunction of the aggregated PPDRs.
 23. The computer program product ofclaim 21, wherein the physical phenomena is natural gas.
 24. Thecomputer program product of claim 21, wherein the physical phenomena isoil.
 25. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the physicalphenomena is a predetermined metric of air quality.
 26. The computerprogram product of claim 21, wherein the PPVD comprises at least one of:physical phenomena scheduling data, physical phenomena delivery data,and physical phenomena consumption data.
 27. The computer programproduct of claim 21, the operations further comprising: retrieving firstphysical phenomena generation data originating from a first physicalgeneration facility; and, generating one or more corresponding PPDRstherefrom by performing extract, transform, and load operations on theretrieved first physical phenomena generation data according to at leastone predetermined data structure.
 28. The computer program product ofclaim 21, the operations further comprising: retrieving first physicalphenomena consumption data originating from a first physical phenomenaconsumption facility; updating the PPVD according to the retrieved firstphysical phenomena consumption data; and, generating an updated physicalphenomena block associated therewith by performing extract, transform,and load operations on the PPVD according to at least one predetermineddata structure.
 29. The computer program product of claim 21, theoperations further comprising: retrieving first physical phenomenascheduling data from a first physical phenomena transmission facility;updating the PPVD according to the first physical phenomena schedulingdata; and, generating an updated physical phenomena block associatedtherewith by performing extract, transform, and load operations on thePPVD.
 30. The computer program product of claim 21, the operationsfurther comprising: retrieving first physical phenomena delivery datafrom a first physical phenomena transmission facility; updating the PPVDaccording to the first physical phenomena delivery data; and, generatingan updated physical phenomena block associated therewith by performingextract, transform, and load operations on the PPVD.
 31. The computerprogram product of claim 21, wherein the at least one tracking andprocessing infrastructure is configured to span at least onesupra-municipality physical phenomena network.
 32. The computer programproduct of claim 21, wherein at least one of the plurality of PPDRsoriginates on a first physical phenomena network and the consumptiondata originates on a second physical phenomena network, wherein there isa boundary interface between the first physical phenomena network andthe second physical phenomena network.
 33. The computer program productof claim 21, wherein the PPDR comprises physical phenomena generationdata.
 34. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the Merkletrie comprises one or more leaf nodes that each comprise a hash of oneof the plurality of PPDRs.
 35. The computer program product of claim 21,the operations further comprising validating the physical phenomenablock by a function comparing a first root of the Merkle trie associatedwith a first time associated with the physical phenomena block.
 36. Thecomputer program product of claim 35, wherein the function furthercompares a second root of the Merkle trie associated with a second timeassociated with the physical phenomena block.
 37. The computer programproduct of claim 36, wherein: the Merkle trie comprises one or more leafnodes associated with the physical phenomena block, each of the one ormore leaf nodes comprises a hash of one of the plurality of PPDRs, and,the function further compares at least one of the one or more leaf nodesassociated with the physical phenomena block.
 38. A computer-implementedmethod to verify physical phenomena generation and transmission acrossat least one tracking and processing infrastructure, the methodcomprising: generating a hash value for each of a plurality of physicalphenomena generation data records (PPGDRs), each representing a definedquantity of physical phenomena produced in a defined time period;storing each hash value in a Merkle trie; generating an aggregate of atleast one of the PPGDRs for a predetermined quantum of physicalphenomena represented by the aggregated PPGDRs; generating a physicalphenomena block on at least one blockchain and storing therein at leastone root hash value, the root hash value representing a root in theMerkle trie corresponding to the aggregated PPGDRs; and, associating thephysical phenomena block with data relating to transmissioncorresponding to the quantum of physical phenomena.
 39. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 18, the operations furthercomprising: retrieving physical phenomena generation data originatingfrom at least one physical generation facility; and, generating one ormore corresponding PPGDRs therefrom by performing extract, transform,and load operations according to at least one predetermined datastructure.
 40. The computer-implemented method of claim 18, theoperations further comprising validating a physical phenomena block byat least one function comparing together a first root of the Merkle trieassociated with a first time associated with the physical phenomenablock, a second root of the Merkle trie associated with a second timeassociated with the physical phenomena block, and at least one leaf nodeof the Merkle trie associated with the physical phenomena block.